by Alan Hirsch and Lance Ford is one of the most recent additions to the missional library. The book is very helpful as a primer for those entering into the conversation for the first time or for those who are trying to figure out how to move from ethereal to action.
This text has a simple structure beginning with a "Briefing" by Hirsch where he summarizes The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church
in about 30 pages. This forces him to be succinct and clear when dealing with the philosophical edge of missional thinking. The book ends with a "Debriefing" where Hirsch is able to fill in any philosophical gaps that resulted in the rest of the text.
The meat of the book is broken into three sections written by Ford with sidebar comments from Hirsch: Putting Our Hearts Into It (Missional Paradigm), Wrapping Our Heads Around It (Missional Analysis), and Doing Something About It (Missional Action).
Putting our Hearts Into It covers the perspective or paradigm shift that has to take place for followers of Jesus need to make to really engage in missional activity. The shift is that of seeing the world with a "missionary's eye", the second is that of being people of peace, the third is getting a proper view of the gospel.
Wrapping Our Heads Around It contains three chapters that cover issues surrounding our culture and how we ought to relate to it. Ford adeptly critiques Western culture. After that he argues for a missional lifestyle that frees us from the trappings of the American Dream. Finally, he provides insight into how to understand the largely suburban world within which most American Christians find themselves.
Doing Something About It looks at the systemic and practical approaches to creating a community wide missional approach. Ford discusses the house church and small group movement, followed by a practical approach to hospitality, and ends the section with a discussion on what it means to be scattered a people of God.
Each chapter concludes with practical steps to take to help you activate what you are reading.
I found this to be one of the most helpful books on the subject that I have read. Hirsch and Ford have found a nice balance between philosophy and application. The writing is down to earth and accessible.
The only criticism I have is that in some ways this text can come across as very individualistic. While community is discussed and the importance of relationships comes through, Hirsch's groundbreaking concept of "Communitas" is largely missing as a word to shape the conversation. I think an opportunity was missed to bring this concept more into the mainstream.
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